Energetic drinks
Energy drinks generally have in their composition, in addition to carbohydrates:
- Taurine: is an amino acid that participates in important physiological functions, such as the rapid excretion of toxic products in the body. The long-term effects of their consumption on our health are not well known.
- Glucoronolactone: it is a carbohydrate that has a detoxifying function and helps in the metabolization of substances.
- Caffeine: accelerates cognition, reducing fatigue and increasing the state of wakefulness.
- Inositol: this isomer of glucose prevents the accumulation of fat in the liver and improves brain communication, memory and intelligence.
- Vitamins: the main ones found in energy drinks are niacin, B6, B12, riboflavin and pantothenic acid. Its presence is related to the replacement of recommended doses.
The combination of these components results in a drink that is pleasant to the palate and provides energy and a lack of sleep for various activities: from extra hours of study to greater willingness to enjoy a party. A single can is able to guarantee these effects for up to three hours, depending on the person's body. Thus, it is not difficult to understand why its consumption, between 2006 and 2010, increased by more than 300%, according to the Brazilian Association of Soft Drink and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (ABIR).
Despite these effects, energy drinks should be consumed sporadically and in moderation, as they mask the individual's fatigue, cause insomnia and can significantly increase heart rate. In addition, very high levels of caffeine can trigger seizures, stroke and even death. The drink is also able to accelerate the loss of calcium and magnesium by the body, resulting in cramps and, in the long run, osteoporosis; and it has a high power to provoke addiction, which can become a significant problem.
Ingested or mixed with alcoholic beverages, these drinks can cause dehydration, since caffeine and alcohol are diuretic substances. This mixture can also intensify the effects of alcohol, but masking their drunkenness, since the person feels much less sleepy than they usually would. This allows the person to have no difficulty drinking too much, creating a greater tendency towards risky behavior.
Considering the above, here's the tip: never consume more than two cans of energy drink in the same day and avoid mixing this drink with alcoholic ones. If you do, define beforehand, and in a sensible way, the maximum amount of these substances you will take, and keep this commitment, drinking plenty of water in between. In this situation, do not drive!
Pregnant women should never use energy drinks, as this can cause miscarriage or the birth of a low birth weight baby.
Curiosity:
Energy drinks do not fulfill the same objective as sports drinks, also called isotonic drinks. These drinks based on water, minerals and carbohydrates have the function of replacing liquids, electrolytes and carbohydrates that are usually lost, mainly through sweat, during intense physical activities, such as competitive running.
Monster Energy Zero Ultra, Sugar Free Energy Drink, 16 Ounce (Pack of 24)
